Remotely controlled self-service apparatus



June 19, 1951 R. l.. TIMMs REMOTELY coNTRoLLED sELFsERv1cE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1948 Patented June 19, 1951 anni UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTELY CONTROLLED SELF-SERVICE APPARATUS 11 Claims.

This invention relates to self-service apparatus, and, more particularly, is concerned with apparatus of this type which is adapted to be controlled and operated from a distance.

In such operations as dry cleaning, the cost of the service has always been increased by the necessity for the dry cleaner to call for and deliver the dry cleaning to the persons home or place of business. In an effort to avoid this service cost, there has sprung up around the country various cash and carry dry cleaners where the party wishing to have a piece of clothing cleaned will deliver the clothing itself to the dry cleaning oiice, and will call for it after the cleaning operation has been performed. This is often quite a nuisance inasmuch as it is usually dinicult to find a parking place near the dry cleaning establishment, and sometimes a parking fee may be encountered. Similar diiculties are eX- perienced in other businesses where the public is purchasing services or commodities.

In an effort to overcome the diiculties of sales of products and services, such as those above enumerated, there has been a gradual growth of coin controlled apparatus for dispensing products to the public with such coin controlled machines being conveniently placed for customers and eliminating the necessity to wait for clerks. However, such coin controlled machines, while quite satisfactory for the sale of certain products, do not adapt themselves to the sale of services, nor are they adapted to the sale of products of varying price or quality.

It is the general object of my invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other diiiculties of and objections to known apparatus and practices by the provision of improved self-service apparatus of remotely controlled character and particularly adapted to the sale of services or products of varying cost or quality.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character described wherein an operator is provided at a central control board for controlling the operation of a plurality of remotely positioned stations, such operator being able to sell goods or services of a wide variety of types of price ranges.

Another object of my invention is to provide self-service apparatus having the conveniences of location, promptness, and self-service of coin operated vending machines, but with my apparatus incorporating the human element of contact and control whereby a much wider variety of goods and services can be sold.

The foregoing objects of my invention, and

other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by the provision of remotely controlled self-service apparatus comprising a plurality of remotely positioned stations, a central control board, each station having a coin-receiving telephone, a telephone at the control board adapted to be connected to a station telephone when the receiver of the station telephone is lifted, electrically actuated mechanism at each station, a selector switch at each station, means at the control board for positioning the selector switch at the station, and means for supplying electric power to the selected mechanism through the selector switch. Usually the bell ringing circuit of the telephone system is employed to supply the electric power to the selected mechanism.

The mechanisms positioned at the stations may take a variety of forms and perform a variety of services. In one best known embodiment of the invention, the mechanism in certain or all oi' the stations comprises lockers having electrically actuated locks.

Thus, and merely by way of one example, a customer who has a suit to be dry cleaned can carry the suit to a station positioned in a subway entrance, bus terminal, or wherever else desired. rlhe owner of the suit will pick up the telephone receiver positioned in association with the station and the operator of the central control board seeing the light or other indicating signal on the control board will plug in a telephone at the control board and ask the person at the station what is wanted.- The person at the station will state that he has a suit to be cleaned and will ask what locker it should be put in. The operator will look at her chart and see that locker No. 3, for example, is vacant, and will advise the clothing owner to place the clothing in locker No. 3. The operator will turn the selector on her control board so that locker No. 3 can be opened. The clothing owner will then hang up the telephone, open locker No. 3 and place his clothing therein. He will remove a stub from the inside of the locker door which will serve as an identication stub and which will tell him, if the operator has not done so, when his clothing can be picked up again, say, the next day at the same time. The locker door is then shut, aided by a pair of spring hinges, and automatically locks.

When the clothing owner returns the next day for his clothing, which has in the meantime been picked up by the dry cleaning company, cleaned and returned, the clothing owner will pick up the telephone and talk to the control board operator and identify himself with his clothing stub number. The operator will look on her chart and see the price oi the dry cleaning operation periormed and will ask the clothing lowner to deposit an equivalent amount in the coin-receiving telephone. 'Ihis the clothing owner will do, it being understood that the operator will hear the deposit of the various coins, all in known manner, a quarter making a bong ten cents making a hing-hing, and ve cents making a bing. When the proper amount had been paid, the operator will advise the clothing owner that his clothing is in such a locker` number and will set her selector switch so as to throw the selector switch at the station so that the locker containing the clothing can be opened by the clothing owner. Once the owner removes his clothing, the spring operated door ci the locker wiil swing shut and the locker is available to perform any other service operation desired.

For a better understanding or the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

The gure illustrates in diagrammatic wiring diagram form one typical embodiment oi apparatus incorporating the principles of the invention.

In the drawing, the numeral iii indicates generally a central control board, while the numerals I2, I4 and I6 indicate a plurality of remotely positioned stations of self-service apparatus. It should be particularly understood here that one central control board can control up to ten or more remotely positioned stations, dependent, of course, upon the character of the operations performed at the stations, and the number of in- I.

dividual mechanisms, lockers, or the like, at each station.

Each station, as noted, includes a plurality oi mechanisms. The exact number of the mechanisms depends upon the type of service to be performed, and the location and the public acceptance and use of the mechanisms. In one best known form of the invetnion, the mechanisms take the form of lockers, and at station I2, also marked station A, lockers IS, 28, and 22 have been illustrated, although it is to be particularly understood that up to iifty or more lockers may be positioned at one station, only three lockers being shown for purposes of simplication. The lockers I8, 24, and 22 may take any desired form, or size, dependent upon the particular commodity or service being sold, but are usually provided with doors which have spring hinges, or other means for normally holding the doors shut. In addition, each locker has an electrically actuated spring lock, which locks have been illustrated diagrammatically in the drawing, and which are indicated by the numerals 24, 25 and 28 respectively.

The locks 24, 25 and 23 are adapted to be selectively actuated, and while this can be accomplished in a plurality of ways, one workable arrangement is illustrated in the drawings as including a dial 38 mounted on the central control board I4 and adapted to be moved by the operator to any selected mechanism or locker number, for example, between one and iteen shown on the control board. The dial 34 is connected by a shaft 32 with a rotary cam the arrangement including gearing (not shown) whereby when the dial 38 is moved to mechanism or locker 3, the cam 34 will move the spring arm 35 to break and make contact 38 three times. This make and break mechanism operated by a dial is well known in the automatic teleplflorle 4 art, and will not be described in great detail here, except to note that the mechanism of the dial 38 is of the type so that the contact 33 will be broken and connected three times during the movement of the dial to mechanism or locker 3 rather than during the time that the dial is returned from mechanism or locker 3 to zero.

The switch 38 is in a circuit including a pair of contacts 40 associated with a jack 42, the jack 42 being adapted to receive a plug 44, and when the plug 44 is inserted in the jack, the contacts 48 are closed, but not otherwise. The closing of the contacts 40 connects the contacts 38 in a circuit including leads 46 and 43 which run to a magnetic solenoid 54 associated with a remotely actuated selector switch indicated as a whole by the numeral 52, and positioned in association with station A. 'Ihe leads 46 and 48 normally form the bell ringing circuit of the telephone system, and the lead 46 is grounded, as at 54, and a source of electric power is connected to leads 58. The remotely actuated selector switch 52 is per se known in the automatic telephone art, and will not be described in greater detail, Suffice it say that in operation of the apparatus, as the contacts 38 are broken and made three times, the solenoid 5U will be released and energized three times to move ratchet arm 53 three times, which working on ratchet 48 will cause the switch arm 62 to move into electrical engagement with contact 84. Breaking and making contact 38 two times will cause the switch arm `t2 to move into engagement with contact E6, and breaking and making contacts 38 one time will cause the switch arm S2 to move into engagement with contact 68.

The contacts 68, 66 and 64 are connected, respectively, to magnetic locks 24, 26 and 28. The other side of the magnetic locks are connected by leads 'I0 with ground wire 45. Lead 48 is connected by lead l2 with switch arm 52 so that electric power is supplied by the lock selected by the dial 3U at the operator control board Iii. It will be noted that the electric power for operating the magnetic locks is applied by the bell ringing circuit of the telephone system, but it is equally evident that a separate power supply for operating the locks could be tapped at the station, with the electric switch 52 connecting the power supply to the selected locks.

Associated with station l2 (station A) is a telephone I5 of the coin-receiving type, the coins being adapted to be dropped into appropriate o openings I8 of known type positioned at the top of the telephone. The telephone 'I6 includes an ear phone or receiver 853, and a mouthpiece or transmitter 82, and the usual hook 34 upon which the telephone receiver is adapted to be hung. The hook 84 includes contacts 86 which are open when the receiver is hung on the hook, but which are adapted to close when the receiver is lifted. A lead 88 runs from the telephone to the jack 42 at the control board I8. A pilot lamp 9d or other indicating means is associated with the jack 42, the jack including a contact 92 engaging with the jack arm 4 connected to the ground lead 46, but with the contact 32 opening when the plug 44 is plugged into the jack 42.

Thus, when the telephone receiver at the telephone i is lifted, the contacts will close to the signal lamp te on the control board indicating that the telephone at station A has been lited. Once the plug 44 is plugged in, thc ,iack arm 14 will move away from the con` tact 92 so as to shut off the flow of electric cur-- rent to the lamp 9U. Plugging the plug M into the jack 2 Will connect a telephone instrument 9S into the telephone circuit so that the control board operator can talk to the person lifting the receiver of telephone l. As heretofore noted, the person at station A can then advise the operator what is wanted, and the operator can instruct the person what to do, all as set forth above in the description of the operation of the apparatus. Plugging the plug 44 into the jack Q2 will also close contacts #i0 toA connect the make and break mechanism actuated by the control dial 3l? into the bell ringer leads l5-iii whereby the selected switch 52 at station A is positioned upon movement of the dial 353. As illustrated in the drawing, the lamp Sii and jack i2 are mounted on the control panel it under an indication of station A.

Any desired number of additional stations are provided in the system, each station to control panel circuit being similar to that heretofore described in conjunction with station A. At station lll (station B) for example, mechanisms are provided which take the form of a high test gasoline pump Hit, and a low test gasoline 92, with a telephone ist being mounted on the side of one of the pumps, and with the operator at the control board being able to plug into station B f to deliver to a customer any desired quantity of gasoline.

In a similar manner, the drawings illustrate at station i6 (station C) a plurality of lockers 95 having an associated telephone Hi8 which is connected back to station C of the control board. The lockers at station C may be of a different size or shape and may perform a different function than those at station A, dependent upon the type of service or commodities to be sold at station C.

The question might be raised in conjunction with the description of the apparatus as to how switch arm S2 can be moved past contacts $3 and t5 in order to contact contacts lit without energizing the magnetic locks 24 and 2b for a short interval of time during the movement of the switch arm to the desired contact. The automatic selector switch 52 usually includes mechanism which prevents the actuation of contacts S8 and t5 during passage of the switch thereover, or the magnetic locks 25, 2S and 28 can include dashpot or other time delay means so that electric current must be applied to the locks for several seconds before the lockwill be actuated.

From the foregoing, it will be recognized thatI the various objects of my invention have been achieved by the provision of a relatively simple, readily operated apparatus for remotely selling services or'commodities. Apparatus of this type adapts itself to a wide variety 0f uses and installations. Accordingly, it is to be particularly understood that my invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiment thereof illustrated or described, and that the scope of my invention is dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In combination in apparatus for vending merchandise or services, a plurality of remotelypositioned stations, each station including a coinreceiving telephone, a remotely-actuatedmagnetratchet type selector switch, and a plurality of solenoid operated mechanisms adapted to be selectively connected to the selector switch upon the rotary movement thereof, a centrally located control panel, means at the central control panel for indicating the remotely positioned station at which the telephone receiver is lifted, plug and jack means for connecting a telephone earphone and mouthpiece at the central control panel to the telephone whose receiver has been lifted at any one remotely positioned station, make and break switch means controlled by the operator at the control panel for supplying a selected number of impulses to the magnet-ratchet of the selector switch without disturbing the telephone connection between the central control panel and the telephone whose receiver has been lifted and to connect the switch to the desired solenoid mechanism at the remotely positioned station whose telephone receiver has been lifted, and means connecting the bell-ringing circuit of the telephone system to the selector switch to actuate the selected solenoid mechanism at the remotely positioned station whose telephone has been lifted.

2. Vending apparatus for articles or services comprising in combination, a centrally located control panel, a plurality of remotely-positioned stations, each remote station including a coinreceiving telephone, an electrically actuated selector sivitch, and a plurality of electrically operated mechanisms adapted to be selectively connccted to the selector switch by the rotation. of the switch, means at the central control panel for indicating the remote station at which the telephone receiver is lifted, means for connecting a telephone earphone and mouthpiece at the control panel to the telephone whose receiver has f' been lifted at any selected remote station, electrical signal generating means controlled by the operator at the control panel for positioning the selector switch at the remote station whose telephone receiver has been lifted, and means connecting a power supply to the selector switch to acutate the selected mechanism at the remote station whose telephone has been lifted.

3. Vending apparatus comprising in combination., a plurality of remotely-positioned stations, each station including a coin-receiving and identifying means, a telephone means, an impulseactuated selector switch, and a plurality of mechanisms adapted to be selectively connected to the selector switch upon the rotation of the switch, a central control panel, means at thc central control panel for indicating the station at which the telephone means is energized, means for connecting a telephone earphone and mouth piece at the control panel to the telephone meansy which has been energized at any remote station, and impulse generating means controlled by the operator at the control panel and operable through the circuit normally used to ring the bell of the telephone means for connecting the selector switch with one of the mechanisms at the station whose telephone means has been energized.

li. ln combination in vending apparatus, a plurality of remotely-positioned stations, each station including a telephone having a talking cir-.

cuit and a bell ringing circuit, an impulseactuated selector switch at the station, a plurality of lockers at the station, each having a spring closed door and an electrically actuated lock adapted to be selectively connected to the selector switch by the rotation of the selector switch, a central control panel, signal means at the central controlppanel for indicating the station at which the telephone receiver is lifted, means for connecting a telephone earphone and mouthpiece at the control panel to the telephone whose receiver has been lifted to establish the talking circuit, impulse-generating means controlled by the operator at the control panel for stepping the selector switch at the station whose telephone receiver has been lifted to connect the switch with the selected lock, and electric leads connecting the bell-inging circuit of the telephone system to the selector switch to energize the selected lock to open the selected locker at the station whose telephone has been lifted.

5. Vending apparatus including a plurality of remotely-positioned stations, each station including a coin-receiving and identifying means and associated telephone having a talking circuit, an impulse-actuated selector switch, a plurality of lockers each having a spring closed door and an electrically actuated lock adapted to be selectively connected to the selector switch upon the rota tion of the switch, a central control panel, means at the central control panel for indicating the station at which the telephone receiver is lifted, means for connecting a telephone earphone and mouthpiece at the control panel to the telephone whose receiver has been lifted to establish the talking circuit, impulse-generating means con trollen?. by the operator at the control panel and operative after the establishment of the talking circuit for positioning the selector switch at the station whose telephone receiver has been lifted, and a power supply at each station and connected to the selector switch to open the selected locker at the station after the operation oi the impulse generating means.

6. The combination in vending apparatus of a remotely-positioned station, the station including a coin-receiving and identifying means and an associated telephone, an electric impulse actuated selector switch at the station, a plurality of lockers at the station, each having a spring closed door and an electrically actuated lock adapted to be selectively connected to the selector switch upon rotation of the switch, a central control panel., lamp signal means at the central control panel for indicating the operation or" the telephone at the station, plug and jack means for connecting a telephone earphone and mouthpiece at the control panel tothe telephone at the station, electric impulse generating means controlled by the operator at the control panel for activating and positioning the selector switch to connect it with t e selected lool: at the station after telephone communication has been established with the station, and electric means other than the impulse generating means and connected to the selector switch for operating the selected lock to open the associated locker.

A remotely controlled self-service apparatus comprising a plurality of remotely positioned stations, a central control board, each station having a telephone with an associated bell-ringing circuit, a telephone at the control board, electric leads connecting the control board telephone to a station telephone when the receiver of the station telephone is lifted, a plurality of electrically actuated mechanisms at each station, said mechanisins in at least certain of the stations cornprising lockers having electrically actuated locks, an impulse-actuated selector switch at each station, impulse-generating means at the control board for positioning the selector switch at the station after telephone communication has been established between the board and station, and electric leads from the bell-ringing circuit for supplying electric power to the selected mech- 8 anisrn through the selector switch to actuate the selected mechanism.

8. A remotely controlled self-service apparatus comprising a plurality of remotely positioned stations adapted to be located in different parts of a town, a central control board adapted to service all stations, each station having a coin-receiving telephone, a telephone at the control board adapted to be connected to a station telephone when the receiver of the station telephone is lifted by a customer seeking self service, a plurality of electrically actuated mechanisms at each station, each mechanism performing a service function for a customer, a selector switch at each station, means at the control board for positioning the selector switch at the station to connect it to one oi the mechanisms, and means for supplying electric power to the selected mechanism through the selector switch and from the bell-ringing circuit o the telephone system to perform the customer selected service after the customer has deposited the price of the servic inthe coinreceiving telephone.

9. A remotely controlled self-service apparatus comprising a plurality of remotely positioned stations, a central control. board, each station having a coin-receiving telephone, a telephone at the control board adapted to be connected to station telephone when the receiver of the station telephone lifted, a plurality of lockers having electrically actuated l cks at each station, an electrically operated selector switch at each station, signal generating means at the control board and operable after the completion of the telephone circuit for positioning the selector switch at the station to connect it to the lock oi a selected locker, and means for supplying electric power to the selected locker lock through the selector switch.

l0. .Apparatus for remotely vending services and articles including in combination a plurality of reriotely positioned stations, each remote station including a plurality of lockers, an electric lock on each locker and normally locking it, a selector switch at each remote station, a central control station, an indicating panel and a dialing switch at the central station, a separate threewire telephone line connecting each remote station with the indicating panel at the central station, a telephone at each remote station connected to the telephone line, a coin receiving and indicating mechanism associated with each telephone at the remote station, the indicating panel at the central station showing when the telephone receiver is lifted at any remote station, a telephone at the central station adapted to be plugged into the panel to allow conversation with the telephone any remote station, switch means at the central station and operable after completion oi the telephone circuit for automatically conneciing the dialing switch into the telephone circuit to the remote station with which telephone communication is established, electric leads connecting the selector switch into the telephone circuit at the remote station so that after the establishment or telephone cornrnunication between the central and remote station the operation of the dialing switch at the central station positions the selector switch to open the electric locl; or the particular locker number dialed by the dial switch at the central station.

1l. Apparatus for remotely vending services and articles including in combination a plurality of remotely positioned stations, each remote station including a plurality of lockers, an electric lock on each locker and normally locking it, a selector switch means at each remote station, a central control station, an indicating panel and a dialing switch at the central station, a separate telephone line connecting each remote station with the indicating panel at the central station, a telephone means at each remote station connected to the telephone line, a coin receiving and indicating mechanism associated with each telephone means at the remote station, the indicating panel at the central station showing when the telephone means is operated at any remote station, a telephone means at the central station and adapted to be plugged into the panel to allow conversation with the telephone means at any remote station, switch means at the central station and operable after completion of the telephone circuit for automatically connecting the dialing switch into the telephone circuit to the remote station with which telephone communication is stablished, electric leads connecting the selector switch into the bell ringing portion of the telephone circuit at the remote station so that after the establisment of telephone communication between the central and remote station the operation of the dialing switch at the central station positions the selector switch to open the elec- 10 tric lock of the particular locker number dialed by the dial switch at the central station.

ROSS L. TIMMS.

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